CNN confirms one American hostage has been killed. We have learned the identities of two other American hostages.

Algerian State Media reports 12 hostages have been killed since Algeria launched its ground operation Thursday. There may be Americans among them. And 650 hostages have been freed by the Algerian military, according to Algerian Press Service.

Now of the 132 foreign workers taken, 100 were released.

CNN has learned The U.S. is evacuating between 10 and 20 people caught up in the hostage-taking. They will be taken to U.S. facilities in Europe.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the Algerian government to use the "utmost care" in the operation as she made it clear, this was an act of terror.

"Let's not forget – this is an act of terror! The perpetrators are the terrorists. They are the ones who have assaulted this facility, have taken hostage Algerians and others from around the world who were going about their daily business," Clinton said.

Outfront tonight: Republican Congressman Mike Rogers of Michigan is the chairman of the House intelligence committee. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and also served as a FBI special agent.

soundoff(One Response)

Joey at Purdue Univ

I wish my countrymen were as upset about this as they are about sports. R.I.P. Mr. Buttaccio.

If nothing else, there's some comfort in the fact that there are public servants like Mr. Rogers & his colleagues on the Intel Cmte who are far more qualified to deal with this than I & stay up at night worrying about it so we don't have to.

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